By Maria Birch – Obstetric Sonographer, Mum, and Founder of Sneak-A-Peek Ultrasound in Barnstaple.
If you’re less than 12 weeks pregnant, I’d love to help ease your mind as soon as possible.
My name is Maria, and I’ve been an obstetric sonographer for over 9 years. I also have a daughter called Mabel — and I’ve been exactly where you are now: waiting, wondering, and worrying.
Without a doubt, the best part of my job is supporting expectant parents like you in early pregnancy.
Why? Because I know how nerve-wracking it can be.
I was around 7 weeks pregnant when the questions started…
“Are they healthy?”
“Is everything OK in there?”
There wasn’t really any need for me to feel anxious. I hadn’t experienced any pain or bleeding. I hadn’t suffered miscarriages or struggled to conceive.
In fact, the only signs I was pregnant were:
1. Two blue lines on a pregnancy test
2. Running to the loo every hour to be sick
Even though I knew morning sickness was normal, I worried that I was flushing away vital nutrients — and wondered what effect that might be having on my baby.
Ultimately, I knew I’d be worried no matter what… until I’d seen my baby with my own eyes.
I booked a private early pregnancy scan
I couldn’t bear the idea of waiting another 5–7 weeks for my first NHS scan.
Although I’d scanned thousands of women, I’d never been on the other side as a patient. I was nervous. Not of the scan itself — but of what it might reveal.
On the day of my appointment, I remember walking up the stairs to the clinic with my heart pounding. It felt like a job interview — only worse.
The sonographer lifted my top, tucked some tissue into my leggings, and gently pressed the ultrasound probe onto my abdomen.
The tension in the room was thick.
“Should I look?” I thought.
And then I did.
There, right in front of my eyes, was Mabel’s racing heart.
I felt like I was floating.
But the scan was rushed…
Just a few short minutes after seeing Mabel’s heartbeat, I was being ushered out of the room.
Yes, the sonographer was friendly.
And yes, I was relieved.
But I wanted to take a deep breath. To savour the moment. To let the relief sink in.
That experience changed everything for me — because I realised that the scan itself is only part of the experience.
The time, the support, the space to process — those matter just as much.
That’s why I opened Sneak-A-Peek
Not every parent has it easy in early pregnancy. Some face anxiety, uncertainty, or previous losses. Some just want more time. More explanation. More kindness.
So I decided to create the service I wish I’d had:
A clinic where you’re given time to ask questions, to understand what you’re seeing, and to walk away feeling heard.
A personal scan, not a production line
My private scan lasted 15 minutes at most.
At Sneak-A-Peek, you get 30-45 minutes (depending on the scan type). That’s at least double the time.
That means:
- If all is well, you can relax and enjoy the moment
- If anything looks unclear, we won’t rush — I’ll explain everything
- And if support is needed, I’ll guide you with compassion
Either way, you’ll be treated with kindness, with clarity, and with the same level of care I wanted for myself.
Want to talk before booking?
If you’re not ready to book a scan just yet, I also offer a short Scan Clarity Call — a one-to-one conversation to talk through your symptoms, questions, or scan options.
There’s no pressure. Just reassurance and answers.
If you’re in Barnstaple, Bideford, South Molton, or anywhere in North Devon and beyond, I’d be honoured to support you on your pregnancy journey.
👉 Book Your Early Pregnancy Scan
or